Considering Switching to Gas Heat from Electric Heat?

A survey of over 1,000 individuals revealed that 37 percent of them are contemplating switching to gas heating.

Electricity and gas are two of the most common types of fuel used for domestic heating. For many of us, gas is the preferred fuel for home heating, however, what if you already have an electric heater installed? Would it make sense to switch from electric heat to gas heat? Would it be worth all the effort and cost?

A survey of over 1,000 individuals revealed that 37 percent of them are contemplating switching to gas heating. If you are one of them, these tips may help you make your decision.

Is it feasible to switch to gas heat?

Switching from electric heat to gas furnace is easier for some homeowners, yet more difficult for others. Here is a checklist to determine whether or not the switch would be easier for you.

What kind of electric heat you are currently using?

If you are using baseboard heaters or electric radiators to keep your home warm, you would need to add ductwork to your home to operate a gas furnace. This could be complex and expensive. Depending on how your home is built, this might not be feasible at all. If you have a forced air heating system in the form of a heat pump or electric furnace, you already have ductwork in place, which would make the switch easier.

Availability of natural gas in the area

Check with the utility provider if natural gas is available at your home. If you live in a rural area, access to natural gas may be a problem. Even if natural gas is available, a gas line may be necessary, especially if your home was built before the 70s. This could mean an additional expense running into thousands of dollars.

Determining whether switching to gas heat would be beneficial

Long-term cost savings

The cost of natural gas is considerably lower than electricity in most areas. So, with a gas furnace, you can bring down your heating costs significantly. According to some estimates, those living in cold climates can save as much as $1,700 by switching to gas from electric heat. However, the actual return on investment would depend on the total cost of switching.

Environmental impact

Electricity is intrinsically inefficient to produce, and delivering it to home leads to further energy loss. Only about a quarter of energy used to produce electricity makes it to your heating systems. On the other hand, natural gas is far more efficient, and is delivered as a raw product to your home. Today, natural gas furnaces offer 100 percent efficiency. Even electric furnaces offer some efficiency, but emissions from electric heaters are much greater than from gas heaters.

Are you thinking of making a switch to gas heating from electric heating? Speak to one of our St. Louis HVAC experts, who can help you make a sound choice! Call Hely Heating and Air Conditioning today at (636) 305-9555.